Bullock Texas State History Museum
Won't Be the Great City That It Could
RECEIVED Thu., June 7, 2007
Dear Editor,
Katherine Gregor's article in today's Chronicle [“Developing Stories,” News, June 8] on the proposed Wal-Mart Supercenter at Northcross Mall was dead-on perfect. I have yet to read such a well-crafted and thought-out explanation on what is happening in my neighborhood; I can stand on my terrace and see Northcross Mall – that's how close I am to this proposed development.
The Austin City Council has, up to this point, failed the citizens of Austin. It's interesting. I spent most of my life in Los Angeles and New York City, and I don't recall ever being blatantly ignored by city leaders the way I do in Austin. That realization alone led me to send the Austin City Council a letter stating that with their lack of citizen-focused leadership, Austin would only ever be a good city … not the great city it could be. And I am not a "Keep Austin Weird" proponent. I believe that development and progress are important for the vitality of any city. However, this proposed Wal-Mart is problematic on so many levels with traffic, as Ms. Gregor points out, being only one concern. It really is about who is running the show. Thank you to the Chronicle and to Ms. Gregor for making that distinction!
It is my sincerest hope that the Austin City Council pays attention to this smart and accurate article.
Katherine Gregor's article in today's Chronicle [“Developing Stories,” News, June 8] on the proposed Wal-Mart Supercenter at Northcross Mall was dead-on perfect. I have yet to read such a well-crafted and thought-out explanation on what is happening in my neighborhood; I can stand on my terrace and see Northcross Mall – that's how close I am to this proposed development.
The Austin City Council has, up to this point, failed the citizens of Austin. It's interesting. I spent most of my life in Los Angeles and New York City, and I don't recall ever being blatantly ignored by city leaders the way I do in Austin. That realization alone led me to send the Austin City Council a letter stating that with their lack of citizen-focused leadership, Austin would only ever be a good city … not the great city it could be. And I am not a "Keep Austin Weird" proponent. I believe that development and progress are important for the vitality of any city. However, this proposed Wal-Mart is problematic on so many levels with traffic, as Ms. Gregor points out, being only one concern. It really is about who is running the show. Thank you to the Chronicle and to Ms. Gregor for making that distinction!
It is my sincerest hope that the Austin City Council pays attention to this smart and accurate article.
Deborah Dalton
